Those Who Live Wide Open

A new women’s boutique store opened in downtown Pelican Rapids this year. “Lilly & Rose” owner Jodi Jendrysik is fulfilling her retail dream and is looking forward to helping downtown Pelican Rapids thrive.
And she laughs when asked about her background. “It has absolutely nothing to...

When Perham’s long-time Salathe chiropractic practice changed hands in late 2017, Carissa and Nick Mitchell took over the reins.
For Carissa, it was something she always wanted to do. “In sixth grade (in Sebeka) I knew I wanted to be a chiropractor when I grew up....

Geoffrey “JT” Thaden easily recites the reasons he loves living in west central Minnesota: fresh air, quiet, no traffic, the lakes, things to do. And then he pauses and adds one more.
“The stars,” he says. “You can see the stars. You forget they exist when...

In 2008, when Jim Mahoney and his wife Beth left Morris, moving to Worthington and eventually the Twin Cities, people back home probably expected them to return. After all, Jim's family roots ran deep in Morris.
So chances are locals weren't too surprised when, nine years...

Heather Neal is a lover of books.
So much so, that she purchased an empty downtown building in Osakis, renovated it, and opened The Owl Books & Brew in July of 2017. And why not? “I love all the books; my children are also avid readers,”...

When artist Victoria Hanna McKinney decided to move in 2017, she made a wish list for the place she wanted to land. In February of this year, her list was fulfilled, landing her in Fergus Falls.
“I’m loving it,” Victoria says. “As soon as I...

Every so often in life you come across someone like Jay McNamar. Step into his home, strike up a conversation, smile and enjoy the ride.
As the stories flow, images come to mind: historian, booster, cheerleader, author, politician, athlete, advocate, teacher. No one word could describe...

A couple years ago, entrepreneur Randy Peterson was finally nearing retirement mode in Fargo. The companies he founded were in good hands and he enjoyed watching his kids blossom in the craft brewery movement.
But as an entrepreneur, Randy found sitting on the business sidelines just...

When Arianna Zavala was named 2017 Lakes Country Association Realtor of the Year, no one was more surprised than her. As a realtor entering her 11th year, she didn’t expect it, or at least not so soon. “I thought maybe after 20-30 years it might...